Head-up display device for vehicle

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a head-up display device for a vehicle including at least one light source, a liquid crystal display, and at least one polarization converter disposed between the light source and the liquid crystal display and configured to convert unpolarized light generated by the light source into single linearly polarized light and to provide the single linearly polarized light to the liquid crystal display.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the National Stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 ofInternational Application No. PCT/KR2018/004068, filed on Apr. 6, 2018,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/482,208,filed on Apr. 6, 2017, the contents of both are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a head-up display device for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

The development of various devices for interfacing between a vehicle anda user is required. In particular, research has been actively conductedon a head-up display device configured to generate a screen on thewindshield so that a user is able to perceive information while driving.

In such a head-up display device, an image is displayed in a manner suchthat light generated by a light source penetrates a liquid crystaldisplay.

Only one polarized component of the unpolarized light generated by thelight source penetrates the display, and the other polarized componentthereof is absorbed, which increases the temperature of the liquidcrystal display.

In addition, since less than half of the optical energy generated by thelight source is used to display an image, optical efficiency is low, andthe cost required to display a desired image increases.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the aboveproblems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide ahead-up display device for a vehicle that exhibits improved opticalefficiency and reduced heat generation.

However, the objects to be accomplished by the invention are not limitedto the above-mentioned objects, and other objects not mentioned hereinwill be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from thefollowing description.

Technical Solution

In accordance with the present invention, the above objects can beaccomplished by the provision of a head-up display device for a vehicleincluding a polarization converter for converting light generated by alight source into single linearly polarized light and providing thesingle linearly polarized light to a liquid crystal display.

Details of other embodiments are included in the detailed descriptionand the accompanying drawings.

Advantageous Effects

According to the embodiments of the present invention, there are one ormore effects as follows.

First, light generated by a light source may be converted into singlelinearly polarized light, and the single linearly polarized light may beprovided to a liquid crystal display, thereby enhancing opticalefficiency and thus reducing manufacturing costs.

Second, most of the generated light may be used to display an image,thereby reducing heat generation.

However, the effects achievable through the invention are not limited tothe above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned herein willbe clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the appendedclaims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the external appearance of a vehicleaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the external appearance of the vehicleaccording to the embodiment of the present invention, seen at variousangles from the outside of the vehicle.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views illustrating the interior of the vehicleaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are views to be referred to for explaining objectsaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram to be referred to for explaining the vehicleaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a view illustrating the external appearance of a head-updisplay device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG.8B is a conceptual view to be referred to for explaining the head-updisplay device according to the embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 8C is a control block diagram of the head-up display deviceaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view to be referred to for explaining an image generationunit of the head-up display device according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 10 to 11B are views to be referred to for explaining apolarization converter according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views to be referred to for explaining the head-updisplay device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views to be referred to for explaining the head-updisplay device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are views to be referred to for explaining the head-updisplay device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. As usedherein, the suffixes “module” and “unit” are added or interchangeablyused to facilitate preparation of this specification and are notintended to suggest unique meanings or functions. In describingembodiments disclosed in this specification, a detailed description ofrelevant well-known technologies may not be given in order not toobscure the subject matter of the present invention. In addition, theaccompanying drawings are merely intended to facilitate understanding ofthe embodiments disclosed in this specification and not to restrict thetechnical spirit of the present invention. In addition, the accompanyingdrawings should be understood as covering all equivalents orsubstitutions within the scope of the present invention.

Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be usedto explain various elements. However, it will be appreciated that theelements are not limited to such terms. These terms are merely used todistinguish one element from another.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directlyconnected or coupled to another element or intervening elements may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyconnected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are nointervening elements present.

The expression of singularity includes a plural meaning unless thesingularity expression is explicitly different in context.

It will be further understood that terms such as “include” or “have”,when used in this specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, orcombinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition ofone or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, or combinations thereof.

The vehicle described in this specification may conceptually include anautomobile and a motorcycle. Hereinafter, description will be givenmainly focusing on an automobile.

The vehicle described in this specification may be any of an internalcombustion vehicle equipped with an engine as a power source, a hybridvehicle equipped with an engine and an electric motor as power sources,an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor as a power source,and the like.

In the description below, the left side of the vehicle means the leftside with respect to the driving direction of the vehicle and the rightside of the vehicle means the right side with respect to the drivingdirection of the vehicle.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the external appearance of a vehicleaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the external appearance of the vehicleaccording to the embodiment of the present invention, seen at variousangles from the outside of the vehicle.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views illustrating the interior of the vehicleaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are views to be referred to for explaining objectsaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram to be referred to for explaining the vehicleaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, a vehicle 100 may include wheels configuredto be rotated by a power source, and a steering input device 510 forcontrolling the driving direction of the vehicle 100.

The vehicle 100 may be an autonomous vehicle.

The vehicle 100 may be switched to an autonomous driving mode or amanual mode based on user input.

For example, the vehicle 100 may be switched from the manual mode to theautonomous driving mode or from the autonomous driving mode to themanual mode based on the user input received through a user interfacedevice 200.

The vehicle 100 may be switched to the autonomous driving mode or themanual mode based on driving situation information.

The driving situation information may include at least one ofinformation about objects outside the vehicle, navigation information,or vehicle state information.

For example, the vehicle 100 may be switched from the manual mode to theautonomous driving mode or from the autonomous driving mode to themanual mode based on the driving situation information generated by anobject detection device 300.

For example, the vehicle 100 may be switched from the manual mode to theautonomous driving mode or from the autonomous driving mode to themanual mode based on the driving situation information received througha communication device 400.

The vehicle 100 may be switched from the manual mode to the autonomousdriving mode or from the autonomous driving mode to the manual modebased on information, data, and signals provided from external devices.

When the vehicle 100 is driven in the autonomous driving mode, theautonomous vehicle 100 may be driven based on an operation system 700.

For example, the autonomous vehicle 100 may be driven based oninformation, data, or signals generated by a driving system 710, apark-out system 740, and a park-in system 750.

When the vehicle 100 is driven in the manual mode, the autonomousvehicle 100 may receive user input for driving through a drivingoperation device 500. The vehicle 100 may be driven based on the userinput received through the driving operation device 500.

An overall length is a length from the front end to the rear end of thevehicle 100, an overall width is a width of the vehicle 100, and anoverall height is a length from the bottom of the wheel to the roof ofthe vehicle 100. In the following description, an overall lengthdirection L may be a direction based on which the overall length of thevehicle 100 is measured, an overall width direction W may be a directionbased on which the overall width of the vehicle 100 is measured, and anoverall height direction H may be a direction based on which the overallheight of the vehicle 100 is measured.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the vehicle 100 may include a user interfacedevice 200, an object detection device 300, a communication device 400,a driving operation device 500, a vehicle driving device 600, anoperation system 700, a navigation system 770, a sensing unit 120, aninterface unit 130, a memory 140, a controller 170, and a power supplyunit 190.

In some embodiments, the vehicle 100 may further include a new componentin addition to the components described in the present disclosure, ormay not include some of the described components.

The user interface device 200 is a device used to enable the vehicle 100to communicate with a user. The user interface device 200 may receiveuser input and may provide information generated from the vehicle 100 tothe user. The vehicle 100 may implement User Interface (UI) or UserExperience (UX) through the user interface device 200.

The user interface device 200 may include an input unit 210, an internalcamera 220, a biometric sensing unit 230, an output unit 250, and aprocessor 270.

In some embodiments, the user interface device 200 may further include anew component in addition to the above-described components, or may notinclude some of the above-described components.

The input unit 210 is used to receive information from a user. Datacollected by the input unit 210 may be analyzed by the processor 270,and may be recognized as a control command from the user.

The input unit 210 may be disposed inside the vehicle. For example, theinput unit 210 may be disposed in a portion of a steering wheel, aportion of an instrument panel, a portion of a seat, a portion of eachpillar, a portion of a door, a portion of a center console, a portion ofa head lining, a portion of a sun visor, a portion of a windshield, aportion of a window, or the like.

The input unit 210 may include a voice input unit 211, a gesture inputunit 212, a touch input unit 213, and a mechanical input unit 214.

The voice input unit 211 may convert a voice input of the user into anelectrical signal. The converted electrical signal may be provided tothe processor 270 or the controller 170.

The voice input unit 211 may include one or more microphones.

The gesture input unit 212 may convert a gesture input of the user intoan electrical signal. The converted electrical signal may be provided tothe processor 270 or the controller 170.

The gesture input unit 212 may include at least one of an infraredsensor or an image sensor for sensing a gesture input of the user.

In some embodiments, the gesture input unit 212 may sense athree-dimensional gesture input of the user. To this end, the gestureinput unit 212 may include a light output unit for emitting a pluralityof infrared rays or a plurality of image sensors.

The gesture input unit 212 may sense a three-dimensional gesture inputof the user using a Time-of-Flight (ToF) scheme, a structured lightscheme, or a disparity scheme.

The touch input unit 213 may convert a touch input of the user into anelectrical signal. The converted electrical signal may be provided tothe processor 270 or the controller 170.

The touch input unit 213 may include a touch sensor for sensing a touchinput of the user.

In some embodiments, the touch input unit 213 may be implemented as atouch screen by being integrated with a display unit 251. This touchscreen may provide both an input interface and an output interfacebetween the vehicle 100 and the user.

The mechanical input unit 214 may include at least one of a button, adome switch, a jog wheel, or a jog switch. An electrical signalgenerated by the mechanical input unit 214 may be provided to theprocessor 270 or the controller 170.

The mechanical input unit 214 may be disposed on the steering wheel, thecenter fascia, the center console, the cockpit module, the door, or thelike.

The internal camera 220 may acquire a vehicle interior image. Theprocessor 270 may sense the state of a user based on the vehicleinterior image. The processor 270 may acquire user gaze information fromthe vehicle interior image. The processor 270 may sense the user'sgesture based on the vehicle interior image.

The biometric sensing unit 230 may acquire biometric information about auser. The biometric sensing unit 230 may include a sensor for acquiringbiometric information about a user, and may acquire information about afingerprint, heart beats, and the like of a user using the sensor. Thebiometric information may be used to authenticate the user.

The output unit 250 is used to generate a visual output, an acousticoutput, or a haptic output.

The output unit 250 may include at least one of a display unit 251, anaudio output unit 252, or a haptic output unit 253.

The display unit 251 may display graphic objects corresponding tovarious pieces of information.

The display unit 251 may include at least one of a Liquid CrystalDisplay (LCD), a Thin Film Transistor-LCD (TFT LCD), an OrganicLight-Emitting Diode (OLED) display, a flexible display, athree-dimensional (3D) display, or an e-ink display.

The display unit 251 may be implemented as a touch screen by forming amulti-layered structure with the touch input unit 213 or by beingintegrated with the touch input unit 213.

The display unit 251 may be configured as a Head-up Display (HUD). Ifthe display unit 251 is configured as a HUD, the display unit 251 may beprovided with a projection module, and may output information through animage projected onto the windshield or the window.

The display unit 251 may include a transparent display. The transparentdisplay may be attached onto the windshield or the window.

The transparent display may have a specific transparency and may displaya specific screen. In order to be transparent, the transparent displaymay include at least one of a transparent Thin Film Electroluminescent(TFEL) display, a transparent Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED)display, a transparent Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a transmissivetransparent display, or a transparent Light-Emitting Diode (LED)display. The transparency of the transparent display is controllable.

The user interface device 200 may include a plurality of display units251 a to 251 g.

The display unit 251 may be disposed in a portion of the steering wheel,portions 251 a, 251 b and 251 e of the instrument panel, a portion 251 dof the seat, a portion 251 f of the pillar, a portion 251 g of the door,a portion of the center console, a portion of the head lining, or aportion of the sun visor, or may be implemented in a portion 251 c ofthe windshield or a portion 251 h of the window.

The audio output unit 252 converts an electrical signal received fromthe processor 270 or the controller 170 into an audio signal and outputsthe audio signal. To this end, the audio output unit 252 may include oneor more speakers.

The haptic output unit 253 generates a haptic output. For example, thehaptic output unit 253 may vibrate the steering wheel, the safety belt,or the seats 110FL, 110FR, 110RL, and 110RR, so that a user perceivesthe output.

The processor 270 may control the overall operation of each unit of theuser interface device 200.

In some embodiments, the user interface device 200 may include aplurality of processors 270 or may not include a processor 270.

If the user interface device 200 does not include a processor 270, theuser interface device 200 may operate under the control of a processorof another device in the vehicle 100, or under the control of thecontroller 170.

The user interface device 200 may be referred to as a vehicle displaydevice.

The user interface device 200 may operate under the control of thecontroller 170.

The object detection device 300 is a device used to detect objectspresent outside the vehicle 100. The object detection device 300 maygenerate object information based on sensing data.

The object information may include information about the presence orabsence of an object, information about the location of an object,information about the distance between the vehicle 100 and an object,and information about the relative speed of the vehicle 100 with respectto an object.

The object may be any of various items related to driving of the vehicle100.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, objects O may include lanes OB10, anothervehicle OB11, a pedestrian OB12, a 2-wheeled vehicle OB13, trafficsignals OB14 and OB15, a light, a road, a structure, a speed bump, ageographic feature, an animal, and so on.

The lanes OB10 may include a traveling lane, a lane next to thetraveling lane, and a lane in which an oncoming vehicle is traveling.The lanes OB10 may conceptually include left and right lines that defineeach of the lanes. The lanes may conceptually include a crossroad.

Another vehicle OB11 may be a vehicle traveling in the vicinity of thevehicle 100. Another vehicle may be a vehicle located within apredetermined distance from the vehicle 100. For example, anothervehicle OB11 may be a vehicle that precedes or follows the vehicle 100.

The pedestrian OB12 may be a person located in the vicinity of thevehicle 100. The pedestrian OB12 may be a person located within apredetermined distance from the vehicle 100. For example, the pedestrianOB12 may be a person on a sidewalk or a roadway.

The 2-wheeled vehicle OB13 may refer to a transportation means moving ontwo wheels around the vehicle 100. The 2-wheeled vehicle OB13 may be atransportation means having two wheels, located within a predetermineddistance from the vehicle 100. For example, the 2-wheeled vehicle OB13may be a motorcycle or bicycle on a sidewalk or a roadway.

The traffic signals may include a traffic light device OB15, a trafficsign OB14, and a symbol or text drawn or written on a road surface.

The light may be light generated from a lamp of another vehicle. Thelight may be light generated from a street lamp. The light may besunlight.

The road may include a road surface, a curved road, an inclined roadsuch as an uphill or downhill road, and so on.

The structure may be an object fixed on the ground near a road. Forexample, the structure may include a street lamp, a street tree, abuilding, a telephone pole, a traffic light device, a bridge, a curb, awall, and so on.

The geographic feature may include a mountain, a hill, and so on.

Objects may be classified into mobile objects and fixed objects. Forexample, mobile objects may conceptually include another vehicle that istraveling and a pedestrian who is moving. For example, fixed objects mayconceptually include a traffic signal, a road, a structure, anothervehicle that is not moving, and a pedestrian who is not moving.

The object detection device 300 may include a camera 310, a RadioDetection and Ranging (RADAR) 320, a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)330, an ultrasonic sensor 340, an infrared sensor 350, and a processor370.

In some embodiments, the object detection device 300 may further includea new component in addition to the above-described components, or maynot include some of the above-described components.

In order to acquire a vehicle exterior image, the camera 310 may bedisposed at an appropriate position on the exterior of the vehicle. Thecamera 310 may be a mono camera, a stereo camera 310 a, an Around ViewMonitoring (AVM) camera 310 b, or a 360-degree camera.

The camera 310 may acquire information about the location of an object,information about the distance to an object, or information about therelative speed with respect to an object using any of variousimage-processing algorithms.

For example, the camera 310 may acquire information about the distanceto the object and information about the relative speed with respect tothe object in the acquired image based on variation in the size of theobject over time.

For example, the camera 310 may acquire information about the distanceto the object and information about the relative speed with respect tothe object through a pin hole model, road surface profiling, or thelike.

For example, the camera 310 may acquire information about the distanceto the object and information about the relative speed with respect tothe object based on disparity information in the stereo image acquiredby the stereo camera 310 a.

For example, in order to acquire an image of a front view of thevehicle, the camera 310 may be disposed in the vicinity of a frontwindshield inside the vehicle. Alternatively, the camera 310 may bedisposed around a front bumper or a radiator grill.

For example, in order to acquire an image of a rear view of the vehicle,the camera 310 may be disposed in the vicinity of a rear glass insidethe vehicle. Alternatively, the camera 310 may be disposed around a rearbumper, a trunk, or a tailgate.

For example, in order to acquire an image of a side view of the vehicle,the camera 310 may be disposed in the vicinity of at least one of sidewindows inside the vehicle. Alternatively, the camera 310 may bedisposed around a side mirror, a fender, or a door.

The camera 310 may provide the acquired image to the processor 370.

The RADAR 320 may include an electromagnetic wave transmitter and anelectromagnetic wave receiver. The RADAR 320 may be embodied as pulseRADAR or continuous wave RADAR depending on the principle by which anelectronic wave is emitted. The RADAR 320 may be embodied as FrequencyModulated Continuous Wave (FMCW)-type RADAR or Frequency Shift Keying(FSK)-type RADAR as a continuous wave RADAR scheme according to a signalwaveform.

The RADAR 320 may detect an object using an electromagnetic wave basedon a Time-of-Flight (ToF) scheme or a phase-shift scheme, and may detectthe location of the detected object, the distance to the detectedobject, and the relative speed with respect to the detected object.

The RADAR 320 may be disposed at an appropriate position on the exteriorof the vehicle in order to sense an object ahead of, behind, or besidethe vehicle.

The LiDAR 330 may include a laser transmitter and a laser receiver. TheLiDAR 330 may be implemented in a ToF scheme or a phase-shift scheme.

The LiDAR 330 may be implemented in a driven or non-driven manner.

If the LiDAR 330 is implemented in a driven manner, the LiDAR 330 may berotated by a motor and may detect objects around the vehicle 100.

If the LiDAR 330 is implemented in a non-driven manner, the LiDAR 330may detect objects located within a predetermined range from the vehicle100 through optical steering. The vehicle 100 may include a plurality ofnon-driven-type LiDARs 330.

The LiDAR 330 may detect an object using laser light based on a ToFscheme or a phase-shift scheme, and may detect the location of thedetected object, the distance to the detected object, and the relativespeed with respect to the detected object.

The LiDAR 330 may be disposed at an appropriate position on the exteriorof the vehicle in order to sense an object ahead of, behind, or besidethe vehicle.

The ultrasonic sensor 340 may include an ultrasonic wave transmitter andan ultrasonic wave receiver. The ultrasonic sensor 340 may detect anobject using ultrasonic waves, and may detect the location of thedetected object, the distance to the detected object, and the relativespeed with respect to the detected object.

The ultrasonic sensor 340 may be disposed at an appropriate position onthe exterior of the vehicle in order to sense an object ahead of,behind, or beside the vehicle.

The infrared sensor 350 may include an infrared transmitter and aninfrared receiver. The infrared sensor 340 may detect an object usinginfrared light, and may detect the location of the detected object, thedistance to the detected object, and the relative speed with respect tothe detected object.

The infrared sensor 350 may be disposed at an appropriate position onthe exterior of the vehicle in order to sense an object ahead of,behind, or beside the vehicle.

The processor 370 may control the overall operation of each unit of theobject detection device 300.

The processor 370 may compare data, sensed by the camera 310, the RADAR320, the LiDAR 330, the ultrasonic sensor 340, and the infrared sensor350, with pre-stored data, thereby detecting or classifying objects.

The processor 370 may detect an object and may track the detected objectbased on an acquired image. The processor 370 may perform operationsincluding calculation of the distance to the object and calculation ofthe relative speed with respect to the object through animage-processing algorithm.

For example, the processor 370 may acquire information about thedistance to the object and information about the relative speed withrespect to the object in the acquired image based on variation in thesize of the object over time.

For example, the processor 370 may acquire information about thedistance to the object and information about the relative speed withrespect to the object through a pin hole model, road surface profiling,or the like.

For example, the processor 370 may acquire information about thedistance to the object and information about the relative speed withrespect to the object based on disparity information in the stereo imageacquired by the stereo camera 310 a.

The processor 370 may detect an object and may track the detected objectbased on an electromagnetic wave that is transmitted, is reflected fromthe object, and then returns. The processor 370 may perform operationsincluding calculation of the distance to the object and calculation ofthe relative speed with respect to the object based on theelectromagnetic wave.

The processor 370 may detect an object and may track the detected objectbased on laser light that is transmitted, is reflected from the object,and then returns. The processor 370 may perform operations includingcalculation of the distance to the object and calculation of therelative speed with respect to the object based on the laser light.

The processor 370 may detect an object and may track the detected objectbased on an ultrasonic wave that is transmitted, is reflected from theobject, and then returns. The processor 370 may perform operationsincluding calculation of the distance to the object and calculation ofthe relative speed with respect to the object based on the ultrasonicwave.

The processor 370 may detect an object and may track the detected objectbased on infrared light that is transmitted, is reflected from theobject, and then returns. The processor 370 may perform operationsincluding calculation of the distance to the object and calculation ofthe relative speed with respect to the object based on the infraredlight.

In some embodiments, the object detection device 300 may include aplurality of processors 370 or may not include a processor 370. Forexample, each of the camera 310, the RADAR 320, the LiDAR 330, theultrasonic sensor 340, and the infrared sensor 350 may include anindividual processor.

If the object detection device 300 does not include a processor 370, theobject detection device 300 may operate under the control of a processorof a device in the vehicle 100, or under the control of the controller170.

The object detection device 300 may operate under the control of thecontroller 170.

The communication device 400 is a device for communicating with anexternal device. Here, the external device may be another vehicle, amobile terminal, or a server.

In order to realize communication, the communication device 400 mayinclude at least one of a transmission antenna, a reception antenna, aRadio Frequency (RF) circuit capable of implementing variouscommunication protocols, or an RF device.

The communication device 400 may include a short-range communicationunit 410, a location information unit 420, a V2X communication unit 430,an optical communication unit 440, a broadcasting transceiver unit 450,an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) communication unit 460, and aprocessor 470.

In some embodiments, the communication device 400 may further include anew component in addition to the above-described components, or may notinclude some of the above-described components.

The short-range communication unit 410 is a unit for performingshort-range communication. The short-range communication unit 410 maysupport short-range communication using at least one of Bluetooth™,Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA),Ultra-Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC),Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, or Wireless Universal SerialBus (Wireless USB).

The short-range communication unit 410 may conduct short-rangecommunication between the vehicle 100 and at least one external deviceby establishing wireless area networks.

The location information unit 420 is a unit configured to acquireinformation about the location of the vehicle 100. For example, thelocation information unit 420 may include a Global Positioning System(GPS) module or a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) module.

The V2X communication unit 430 is a unit used for wireless communicationwith a server (Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I)), another vehicle(Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V)), or a pedestrian (Vehicle to Pedestrian(V2P)). The V2X communication unit 430 may include an RF circuit capableof implementing a V2I protocol, a V2V protocol, and a V2P protocol.

The optical communication unit 440 is a unit used to communicate with anexternal device via light. The optical communication unit 440 mayinclude an optical transmitter for converting an electrical signal intoan optical signal and radiating the optical signal to the outside, andan optical receiver for converting a received optical signal into anelectrical signal.

In some embodiments, the optical transmitter may be integrated with alamp included in the vehicle 100.

The broadcasting transceiver unit 450 is a unit used to receive abroadcast signal from an external broadcasting management server ortransmit a broadcast signal to the broadcasting management serverthrough a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include asatellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast signal mayinclude a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a databroadcast signal.

The ITS communication unit 460 may exchange information, data, orsignals with a traffic system. The ITS communication unit 460 mayprovide acquired information and data to the traffic system. The ITScommunication unit 460 may receive information, data, or a signal fromthe traffic system. For example, the ITS communication unit 460 mayreceive traffic information from the traffic system and provide thereceived traffic information to the controller 170. For example, the ITScommunication unit 460 may receive a control signal from the trafficsystem, and may provide the received control signal to the controller170 or a processor in the vehicle 100.

The processor 470 may control the overall operation of each unit of thecommunication device 400.

In some embodiments, the communication device 400 may include aplurality of processors 470 or may not include a processor 470.

If the communication device 400 does not include a processor 470, thecommunication device 400 may operate under the control of a processor ofanother device in the vehicle 100, or under the control of thecontroller 170.

The communication device 400 may be configured as a vehicle displaydevice, together with the user interface device 200. In this case, thevehicle display device may be referred to as a telematics device or anAudio Video Navigation (AVN) device.

The communication device 400 may operate under the control of thecontroller 170.

The driving operation device 500 is a device used to receive user inputfor driving the vehicle.

In the manual mode, the vehicle 100 may be driven based on a signalprovided by the driving operation device 500.

The driving operation device 500 may include a steering input device510, an acceleration input device 530, and a brake input device 570.

The steering input device 510 may receive user input for steering thevehicle 100. The steering input device 510 may be configured in the formof a wheel for enabling steering input by being rotated. In someembodiments, the steering input device may be configured as a touchscreen, a touchpad, or a button.

The acceleration input device 530 may receive user input foracceleration of the vehicle 100. The brake input device 570 may receiveuser input for deceleration of the vehicle 100. The acceleration inputdevice 530 and the brake input device 570 may be configured as pedals.In some embodiments, the acceleration input device or the brake inputdevice may be configured as a touch screen, a touchpad, or a button.

The driving operation device 500 may operate under the control of thecontroller 170.

The vehicle driving device 600 is a device used to electrically controlthe operation of various devices in the vehicle 100.

The vehicle driving device 600 may include a powertrain driving unit610, a chassis driving unit 620, a door/window driving unit 630, asafety device driving unit 640, a lamp driving unit 650, and anair-conditioner driving unit 660.

In some embodiments, the vehicle driving device 600 may further includea new component in addition to the above-described components, or maynot include some of the above-described components.

The vehicle driving device 600 may include a processor. Each unit of thevehicle driving device 600 may include an individual processor.

The powertrain driving unit 610 may control the operation of apowertrain device.

The powertrain driving unit 610 may include a power source driving unit611 and a transmission driving unit 612.

The power source driving unit 611 may control a power source of thevehicle 100.

For example, if the power source is a fossil fuel-based engine, thepower source driving unit 611 may perform electronic control of theengine. Therefore, the power source driving unit 611 may control theoutput torque of the engine. The power source driving unit 611 mayadjust the engine output torque under the control of the controller 170.

For example, if the power source is an electrical energy-based motor,the power source driving unit 611 may control the motor. The powersource driving unit 611 may adjust the rotational speed, torque, and soon of the motor under the control of the controller 170.

The transmission driving unit 612 may control a transmission.

The transmission driving unit 612 may adjust the state of thetransmission. The transmission driving unit 612 may switch the state ofthe transmission to a drive (D) mode, a reverse (R) mode, a neutral (N)mode, or a parking (P) mode.

If the power source is an engine, the transmission driving unit 612 mayadjust the engagement state of a gear in the drive (D) mode.

The chassis driving unit 620 may control the operation of a chassisdevice.

The chassis driving unit 620 may include a steering driving unit 621, abrake driving unit 622, and a suspension driving unit 623.

The steering driving unit 621 may perform electronic control of asteering apparatus in the vehicle 100. The steering driving unit 621 maychange the driving direction of the vehicle.

The brake driving unit 622 may perform electronic control of a brakeapparatus in the vehicle 100. For example, the brake driving unit 622may decrease the speed of the vehicle 100 by controlling the operationof a brake disposed at a wheel.

The brake driving unit 622 may control a plurality of brakesindividually. The brake driving unit 622 may independently control thebraking power applied to each of a plurality of wheels.

The suspension driving unit 623 may perform electronic control of asuspension apparatus in the vehicle 100. For example, if a road isbumpy, the suspension driving unit 623 may control the suspensionapparatus to reduce the vibration of the vehicle 100.

The suspension driving unit 623 may control a plurality of suspensionsindividually.

The door/window driving unit 630 may perform electronic control of adoor apparatus or a window apparatus in the vehicle 100.

The door/window driving unit 630 may include a door driving unit 631 anda window driving unit 632.

The door driving unit 631 may perform control of a door apparatus. Thedoor driving unit 631 may control the opening or closing of a pluralityof doors in the vehicle 100. The door driving unit 631 may control theopening or closing of the trunk or the tailgate. The door driving unit631 may control the opening or closing of the sunroof.

The window driving unit 632 may perform electronic control of a windowapparatus. The window driving unit 632 may control the opening orclosing of a plurality of windows in the vehicle 100.

The safety device driving unit 640 may perform electronic control ofvarious safety apparatuses in the vehicle 100.

The safety device driving unit 640 may include an airbag driving unit641, a seatbelt driving unit 642, and a pedestrian protection devicedriving unit 643.

The airbag driving unit 641 may perform electronic control of an airbagapparatus in the vehicle 100. For example, the airbag driving unit 641may control the inflation of an airbag upon sensing an emergencysituation.

The seatbelt driving unit 642 may perform electronic control of aseatbelt apparatus in the vehicle 100. For example, the seatbelt drivingunit 642 may control securing of passengers on the seats 110FL, 110FR,110RL and 110RR using seatbelts upon sensing an emergency situation.

The pedestrian protection device driving unit 643 may perform electroniccontrol of a hood lift and a pedestrian airbag. For example, thepedestrian protection device driving unit 643 may control hood lift-upand inflation of the pedestrian airbag upon sensing a collision with apedestrian.

The lamp driving unit 650 may perform electronic control of various lampapparatuses in the vehicle 100.

The air-conditioner driving unit 660 may perform electronic control ofan air-conditioner in the vehicle 100. For example, if a vehicleinternal temperature is high, the air-conditioner driving unit 660 maycontrol the air-conditioner to operate and supply cool air into thevehicle.

The vehicle driving device 600 may include a processor. Each unit of thevehicle driving device 600 may include an individual processor.

The vehicle driving device 600 may operate under the control of thecontroller 170.

The operation system 700 is a system that controls various operations ofthe vehicle 100. The operation system 700 may operate in the autonomousdriving mode.

The operation system 700 may include a driving system 710, a park-outsystem 740, and a park-in system 750.

In some embodiments, the operation system 700 may further include a newcomponent in addition to the above-described components, or may notinclude some of the above-described components.

The operation system 700 may include a processor. Each unit of theoperation system 700 may include an individual processor.

In some embodiments, if the operation system 700 is implemented insoftware, the operation system 700 may be configured as a lower-levelcomponent of the controller 170.

In some embodiments, the operation system 700 may conceptually includeat least one of the user interface device 270, the object detectiondevice 300, the communication device 400, the driving operation device500, the vehicle driving device 600, the navigation system 770, thesensing unit 120, or the controller 170.

The driving system 710 may perform driving of the vehicle 100.

The driving system 710 may perform driving of the vehicle 100 byreceiving navigation information from the navigation system 770 andproviding a control signal to the vehicle driving device 600.

The driving system 710 may perform driving of the vehicle 100 byreceiving object information from the object detection device 300 andproviding a control signal to the vehicle driving device 600.

The driving system 710 may perform driving of the vehicle 100 byreceiving a signal from an external device through the communicationdevice 400 and providing a control signal to the vehicle driving device600.

The driving system 710 may conceptually include at least one of the userinterface device 270, the object detection device 300, the communicationdevice 400, the driving operation device 500, the vehicle driving device600, the navigation system 770, the sensing unit 120, or the controller170, and may perform driving of the vehicle 100.

The driving system 710 may be referred to as a vehicle driving controldevice.

The park-out system 740 may perform park-out of the vehicle 100.

The park-out system 740 may perform park-out of the vehicle 100 byreceiving navigation information from the navigation system 770 andproviding a control signal to the vehicle driving device 600.

The park-out system 740 may perform park-out of the vehicle 100 byreceiving object information from the object detection device 300 andproviding a control signal to the vehicle driving device 600.

The park-out system 740 may perform park-out of the vehicle 100 byreceiving a signal from an external device through the communicationdevice 400 and providing a control signal to the vehicle driving device600.

The park-out system 740 may conceptually include at least one of theuser interface device 270, the object detection device 300, thecommunication device 400, the driving operation device 500, the vehicledriving device 600, the navigation system 770, the sensing unit 120, orthe controller 170, and may perform park-out of the vehicle 100.

The park-out system 740 may be referred to as a vehicle park-out controldevice.

The park-in system 750 may perform park-in of the vehicle 100.

The park-in system 750 may perform park-in of the vehicle 100 byreceiving navigation information from the navigation system 770 andproviding a control signal to the vehicle driving device 600.

The park-in system 750 may perform park-in of the vehicle 100 byreceiving object information from the object detection device 300 andproviding a control signal to the vehicle driving device 600.

The park-in system 750 may perform park-in of the vehicle 100 byreceiving a signal from an external device through the communicationdevice 400 and providing a control signal to the vehicle driving device600.

The park-in system 750 may conceptually include at least one of the userinterface device 270, the object detection device 300, the communicationdevice 400, the driving operation device 500, the vehicle driving device600, the navigation system 770, the sensing unit 120, or the controller170, and may perform park-in of the vehicle 100.

The park-in system 750 may be referred to as a vehicle park-in controldevice.

The navigation system 770 may provide navigation information. Thenavigation information may include at least one of map information, setdestination information, path information according to the destinationsetting, information about various objects on a path, lane information,or information about the current location of a vehicle.

The navigation system 770 may include a memory and a processor. Thememory may store navigation information. The processor may control theoperation of the navigation system 770.

In some embodiments, the navigation system 770 may receive informationfrom an external device through the communication device 400, and mayupdate pre-stored information using the received information.

In some embodiments, the navigation system 770 may be classified as alower-level component of the user interface device 200.

The sensing unit 120 may sense the state of the vehicle. The sensingunit 120 may include an inertial navigation unit (IMU) sensor, acollision sensor, a wheel sensor, a speed sensor, an inclination sensor,a weight detection sensor, a heading sensor, a position module, avehicle forward/reverse movement sensor, a battery sensor, a fuelsensor, a tire sensor, a steering sensor for detecting rotation of thesteering wheel, a vehicle internal temperature sensor, a vehicleinternal humidity sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an illuminance sensor,an accelerator pedal position sensor, a brake pedal position sensor, andso on.

The inertial navigation unit (IMU) sensor may include at least one of anacceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or a magnetic sensor.

The sensing unit 120 may acquire sensing signals of vehicle attitudeinformation, vehicle motion information, vehicle yaw information,vehicle roll information, vehicle pitch information, vehicle collisioninformation, vehicle heading information, vehicle location information(GPS information), vehicle angle information, vehicle speed information,vehicle acceleration information, vehicle inclination information,vehicle forward/reverse movement information, battery information, fuelinformation, tire information, vehicle lamp information, vehicleinternal temperature information, vehicle internal humidity information,a steering wheel rotation angle, vehicle external illuminance, thepressure applied to the accelerator pedal, the pressure applied to thebrake pedal, and so on.

The sensing unit 120 may further include an accelerator pedal sensor, apressure sensor, an engine speed sensor, an air flow sensor (AFS), anair temperature sensor (ATS), a water temperature sensor (WTS), athrottle position sensor (TPS), a top dead center (TDC) sensor, a crankangle sensor (CAS), and so on.

The sensing unit 120 may generate vehicle state information based on thesensing data. The vehicle state information may be generated based ondata detected by various sensors included in the vehicle.

For example, the vehicle state information may include vehicle attitudeinformation, vehicle speed information, vehicle inclination information,vehicle weight information, vehicle heading information, vehicle batteryinformation, vehicle fuel information, vehicle tire air pressureinformation, vehicle steering information, vehicle internal temperatureinformation, vehicle internal humidity information, pedal positioninformation, vehicle engine temperature information, and so on.

The interface unit 130 may serve paths to various types of externaldevices connected to the vehicle 100. For example, the interface unit130 may be provided with a port connectable to a mobile terminal, andmay be connected to a mobile terminal through the port. In this case,the interface unit 130 may exchange data with the mobile terminal.

The interface unit 130 may serve as a path through which electricalenergy is supplied to a connected mobile terminal. If the mobileterminal is electrically connected to the interface unit 130, theinterface unit 130 may supply electrical energy received from the powersupply unit 190 to the mobile terminal under the control of thecontroller 170.

The memory 140 is electrically connected to the controller 170. Thememory 140 may store basic data for a unit, control data for controllingoperation of the unit, and input and output data. The memory 140 may beany of various storage devices realized in hardware, such as Read OnlyMemory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), Erasable and Programmable ROM(EPROM), a flash drive, and a hard drive. The memory 140 may storevarious data for the overall operation of the vehicle 100, such asprograms for performing processing or controlling by the controller 170.

In some embodiments, the memory 140 may be integrated with thecontroller 170 or may be configured as a lower-level component of thecontroller 170.

The controller 170 may control the overall operation of each unit in thevehicle 100. The controller 170 may be referred to as an ElectronicControl Unit (ECU).

The power supply unit 190 may supply power needed for operating eachcomponent under the control of the controller 170. Particularly, thepower supply unit 190 may receive power from a battery in the vehicle.

One or more processors and the controller 170 included in the vehicle100 may be implemented using at least one of Application SpecificIntegrated Circuits (ASICs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), DigitalSignal Processing Devices (DSPDs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs),Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,microcontrollers, microprocessors, or an electrical unit for executingother functions.

FIG. 8A is a view illustrating the external appearance of a head-updisplay device according to an embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 8B is a conceptual view to be referred to for explaining thehead-up display according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, a vehicular head-up display device 1000(hereinafter, a head-up display device) may be disposed inside thevehicle 100, and may provide generated information to a user.

The head-up display device 1000 may be disposed inside a cockpit moduleor may be disposed on a dashboard. The head-up display device 1000 mayinclude a cover 1001, which is configured to be opened and closed inaccordance with user input.

The head-up display device 1000 may generate a graphic object using atleast one light source 1052 and a liquid crystal display 1055. Thegenerated graphic object may be projected and displayed on a screen. Thescreen may be implemented as any one of a windshield WS and a combiner.In the case in which the screen is implemented as a combiner, thehead-up display device 1000 may further include a combiner.

The head-up display device 1000 may include an image generation unit1050 and at least one mirror.

The image generation unit 1050 may include a backlight unit 1051,thereby projecting display light for forming an augmented-reality imageonto the screen under the control of a processor 1070. The display lightgenerated by the image generation unit 1050 may be reflected by the atleast one mirror 1002 and 1003, and may be provided to the screen.

The at least one mirror 1002 and 1003 may generate an optical path fromthe image generation unit 1050 to the windshield WS.

Due to the optical path, the size of the display light, whichcorresponds to the augmented-reality image, may be adjusted, or theposition at which the display light is projected on the windshield WSmay be adjusted so as to adjust a focal point.

Meanwhile, the display light reflected by the at least one mirror 1002and 1003 may be projected within a predetermined region (hereinafter, adisplay region) in the windshield WS. A reflective film may be attachedto the display region DR so that an augmented-reality image ARI can beseen more clearly.

The head-up display device 1000 may provide an indicator image.

The processor 1070 may receive data for generating an indicator imagefrom other electronic devices in the vehicle.

The processor 1070 may generate a control signal for generating anindicator image based on the received data, and may provide thegenerated control signal to the image generation unit 1050.

The head-up display device 1000 may also provide an augmented-realityimage.

The processor 1070 may receive data for generating an augmented-realityimage from other electronic devices in the vehicle.

The processor 1070 may provide a control signal for generating anaugmented-reality image to the image generation unit 1050 based on thereceived data.

In some embodiments, the image generation unit 1050 may include a lightsource for generating an indicator image and a light source forgenerating an augmented-reality image, which are provided separatelyfrom each other.

An augmented-reality image is realized by the display light projectedonto the screen. At a driver's position, an augmented-reality image ARImay be seen as being displayed not on the display region DR of thewindshield WS but outside the vehicle 100, beyond the display region DR.

The augmented-reality image ARI may be recognized as a virtual imagethat is floating a predetermined distance ahead of the vehicle 100. Forexample, the augmented-reality image ARI may be a graphic object thatprovides information about an outline of an object OB, a speed, acollision alert, etc.

In the case in which the head-up display device 1000 realizes theaugmented-reality image ARI using a virtual image, the driver's eyesneed to be positioned within an eye box EB so that the driver perceivesthe augmented-reality image ARI through the display region DR.

The eye box EB is an indoor space having a three-dimensional volume inthe vehicle 100. When the driver's eyes are positioned within the eyebox EB, the driver is able to perceive the augmented-reality image ARIthrough the display region DR.

On the other hand, when the driver's eyes are out of the eye box EB, thedriver may see only a part of the augmented-reality image ARI, or nonethereof. The coordinates defining the boundary of the eye box EB may bestored in advance in a memory 640.

Meanwhile, when the driver's eyes are positioned within the eye box EB,the driver may perceive the augmented-reality image ARI. However, theremay be an error between the actual image of the object OB and theaugmented-reality image ARI, which are perceived by the driver throughthe display region DR, depending on a change in the position of the eyeswithin the eye box EB.

This phenomenon occurs because the distance to the augmented-realityimage ARI and the distance to the object OB are different with respectto the driver's position. When the distance to the object OB increases,the error between the object OB and the augmented-reality image ARI maygradually increase. In order to reduce or remove such an error, theprocessor 1070 may perform postprocessing on the augmented-reality imageARI based on the position of the eyes of the driver.

Specifically, the processor 1070 may detect the position of the eyes ofthe driver from an image of the driver provided from the internal camera220. In one embodiment, the processor 1070 may detect the driver's eyesappearing in the image of the driver using eye tracking technology, andmay calculate the three-dimensional coordinates of the detected eyes. Inanother embodiment, the processor 1070 may extract the outline of thedriver's face from the image of the driver using edge detectiontechnology, and may estimate the position of the driver's eyes based onthe extracted outline.

Information about a reference position may be preset in the memory 640.The processor 1070 may compare the position of the driver's eyes withthe reference position, and may calculate the direction in which theeyes are positioned and the distance to the eyes with respect to thereference position. That is, the processor 1070 may determine thedistance from the reference position to the current position of thedriver's eyes and the direction in which the driver's eyes arepositioned.

The processor 1070 may determine a visual effect to be applied topostprocessing of an augmented-reality image, depending on the directionin which the eyes are positioned and the distance to the eyes withrespect to the reference position. In addition, the processor 1070 maydetermine the size of the determined visual effect.

The processor 1070 may perform postprocessing on the augmented-realityimage ARI using the determined visual effect, thereby minimizing anerror between the augmented-reality image and the actual image of theobject OB due to a change in the position of the eyes within the eye boxEB and providing a more improved image-matching result to the driver.

A visual effect applicable to postprocessing of the augmented-realityimage may include at least one of blurring the augmented-reality image,changing the position of the augmented-reality image, changing the sizeof the augmented-reality image, changing the shape of theaugmented-reality image, or changing the tilt of the augmented-realityimage. For example, when a horizontal error between theaugmented-reality image and the actual image of the object occurs due toa change in the position of the driver's eyes from side to side alongthe y axis, the processor 1070 may horizontally move theaugmented-reality image toward the actual image or may compensate forthe difference between the two images using a visual effect such asincreasing the width of the augmented-reality image or blurring at leasta portion of the augmented-reality image.

FIG. 8C is a block diagram of the head-up display device according tothe embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8C, the head-up display device 1000 may beconceptually included in the user interface device 200.

The head-up display device 1000 may include an interface unit 1030, amemory 1040, an image generation unit 1050, a processor 1070, and apower supply unit 1090.

In some embodiments, the head-up display device 1000 may further includea communication unit 1010, an input unit 1020, and a sound output unit1060 in a separate form or in a combined form.

The communication unit 1010 may include at least one communicationmodule that enables wireless communication between the head-up displaydevice 1000 and a mobile terminal, between the head-up display device600 and an external server, or between the head-up display device 1000and another vehicle.

For example, the communication unit 1010 may form a communicationchannel with a user's mobile terminal through a short-rangecommunication module and thus may display information received from themobile terminal.

The input unit 1020 may receive information from a user. Data collectedby the input unit 1020 may be analyzed by the processor 1070, and may berecognized as a control command from the user.

Meanwhile, the input unit 210, the internal camera 220, and the camera310, which are included in the vehicle 100, may be classified aslower-level components of the head-up display device 1000. Specifically,the input unit 1020 may include the voice input unit 211, the gestureinput unit 212, the touch input unit 213, the mechanical input unit 214,and the internal camera 220.

The interface unit 1030 may receive data, information, and a signal fromthe electronic device in the vehicle 100.

The interface unit 1030 may transmit data, information, and a signal,which are processed or generated by the processor 1070, to theelectronic device in the vehicle 100.

To this end, the interface unit 1030 may include at least one of acircuit, an element, or a port to communicate with the electronic devicein the vehicle 100 in a wired or wireless manner.

Meanwhile, the interface unit 1030 may receive driving conditioninformation.

The memory 1040 is electrically connected to the processor 1070. Thememory 1040 may store basic data for each unit of the head-up displaydevice 1000, control data for controlling the operation of each unit,and data that are input and output.

The memory 1040 may be any of various hardware storage devices, such asa ROM, a RAM, an EPROM, a flash drive, and a hard drive. The memory 1040may store various data for the overall operation of the head-up displaydevice 1000, such as programs for processing or control of the processor1070.

In some embodiments, the memory 1040 may be integrally formed with theprocessor 1070.

Under the control of the processor 1070, the image generation unit 1050may output display light generated based on data provided from theprocessor 1070.

The image generation unit 1050 may include a backlight unit 1051 and aliquid crystal display 1055.

The backlight unit 1051 may include at least one light source 1052. Forexample, the backlight unit 1051 may include at least one light-emittingdiode (LED) as the light source 1052.

The at least one light source 1052 may convert electrical energy intooptical energy.

The at least one light source 1052 may output unpolarized light based onthe electrical energy supplied from the power supply unit 1090.

In some embodiments, the at least one light source 1052 may include afirst light source 1052 a for outputting first light and a second lightsource 1052 b for outputting second light.

The liquid crystal display (LCD) 1055 may emit display light based onthe light provided from the at least one light source. The display lightmay be projected onto the screen to form an image.

The liquid crystal display 1055 may emit linearly polarized light as thedisplay light.

For example, the liquid crystal display 1055 may emit, based on firstlinearly polarized light introduced in a first direction, secondlinearly polarized light as the display light in a second direction.Here, the second direction may be a direction perpendicular to the firstdirection.

In some embodiments, the image generation unit 1050 may further includeat least one mirror.

The at least one mirror may be disposed between the backlight unit 1051and the liquid crystal display 1055.

The at least one mirror may generate an optical path from the backlightunit 1051 to the liquid crystal display 1055.

Due to the generated optical path, the size of the light generated bythe backlight unit 1051 may be adjusted, or the optical focal length maybe adjusted.

The sound output unit 1060 may convert an electrical signal from theprocessor 1070 into an audio signal and may output the audio signal. Tothis end, the sound output unit 1060 may include at least one speaker.

The processor 1070 may control the overall operation of each unit of thehead-up display device 1000.

The processor 1070 may control the image generation unit 1050.

The processor 1070 may control the at least one light source 1052.

The processor 1070 may control the turning on and off of each of the atleast one light source 1052. The processor 1070 may control the lightoutput of each of the at least one light source 1052.

The processor 1070 may control the light output of the first lightsource 1052 a and the light output of the second light source 1052 bdifferently.

The processor 1070 may control the first light source 1052 a and thesecond light source 1052 b to be turned on individually orsimultaneously.

The processor 1070 may control the liquid crystal display 1055.

The processor 1070 may control the arrangement of liquid crystalmolecules using an electrical signal.

The processor 1070 may control the light output of the light source1052, and may control the liquid crystal display 1055 to adjust thearrangement of the liquid crystal molecules disposed in the firstregion, thereby controlling the brightness of an image displayed on thescreen.

The processor 1070 may control the first light source 1052 a and theliquid crystal display 1055 such that a first image corresponding tofirst information is displayed in the first region. Here, the firstimage may be an indicator image.

The processor 1070 may control the second light source 1052 b and theliquid crystal display 1055 such that a second image corresponding tosecond information is displayed in the second region. Here, the secondimage may be an augmented-reality image.

The processor 1070 may control the at least one light source 1052 andthe liquid crystal display 1055 in response to ambient illuminanceinformation.

For example, in the state in which an image is being displayed, whenambient illuminance increases, the processor 1070 may increase theamount of current introduced into the light source 1052 such that theimage is displayed more brightly.

The processor 1070 may control the at least one light source 1052 andthe liquid crystal display 1055 in response to ambient illuminanceinformation such that the scale of the displayed image is adjusted.

For example, in the state in which an image is being displayed, whenambient illuminance increases, the processor 1070 may control the liquidcrystal display 1055 such that the image is displayed in a smaller size.

The processor 1070 may receive at least one of driving speed informationof the vehicle 100, external object information, navigation information,or information about a user's mobile terminal through the interface unit1030.

The processor 1070 may determine an image to be displayed in a specificregion of the liquid crystal display 1055 based on at least one of thedriving speed information, the external object information, thenavigation information, or the mobile terminal information.

The processor 1070 may control the image generation unit 1050 such thatdisplay light corresponding to an image is output in the determinedregion.

The power supply unit 1090 may receive power from a battery or the likein the vehicle 100.

The power supply unit 1090 may supply power to each unit of the head-updisplay device 1000 under the control of the processor 1070.

The power supply unit 1090 may provide electrical energy for operatingthe processor 1070 to the processor 1070.

The power supply unit 1090 may provide electrical energy for operatingthe image generation unit 1050 to the image generation unit 1050.

FIG. 9 is a view to be referred to for explaining the image generationunit of the head-up display device according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 10 to 11B are views to be referred to for explaining apolarization converter according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11B, the image generation unit 1050, asdescribed above, may include the backlight unit 1051 and the liquidcrystal display 1055.

The image generation unit 1050 may further include at least onecollimation lens 910, at least one fly eye lens (FEL) 1100, at least onepolarization converter 1200, and at least one illumination lens 920 in aseparate form or in a form in which two or more components are combined.

The collimation lens 910 may be disposed between the backlight unit 1051and the FEL 1110.

The collimation lens 910 may be disposed between the light source 1052and the FEL 1110.

The collimation lens 910 may make light beams output from the lightsource 1052 travel parallel to each other. The light beams that havepassed through the collimation lens 910 may have an irregulardistribution.

The collimation lens 910 may be provided in a plural number.

In one example, the collimation lens 910 may include a first collimationlens 910 a and a second collimation lens 910 b.

The FEL 1100 may be disposed between the backlight unit 1051 and theliquid crystal display 1055.

The FEL 1100 may be disposed between the light source 1052 and theliquid crystal display 1055.

The FEL 1100 may be disposed between the light source 1052 and thepolarization converter 1200.

One surface of the FEL 1100 may face the collimation lens 910. Theopposite surface of the FEL 1100 may face the polarization converter1200.

The FEL 1100 may have an optic pattern.

The FEL 1110 may include a plurality of cells 1101, and may expand eachof the light beams provided from the light source 1052 to at least someof the plurality of cells 1101 to a uniform size, thereby providinguniform light beams.

The FEL 1110 splits the light incident thereon through the plurality ofcells 1101, and expands each of the split light beams to a uniform size,thereby emitting uniform light beams.

The respective cells 1101 may provide uniform light beams, each of whichhas passed through a respective one of the plurality of cells 1101, touniform-sized areas (or regions) of the liquid crystal display 1055.

The polarization converter 1200 may be disposed between the backlightunit 1051 and the liquid crystal display 1055.

The polarization converter 1200 may be disposed between the light source1052 and the liquid crystal display 1055.

The polarization converter 1200 may be disposed between the FEL 1100 andthe illumination lens 920.

One surface of the polarization converter 1200 may face the FEL 1100.The opposite surface of the polarization converter 1200 may face theillumination lens 920.

The polarization converter 1200 may convert unpolarized light generatedby the light source 1052 into single linearly polarized light.

The polarization converter 1200 may provide the converted singlelinearly polarized light to the liquid crystal display 1055.

Referring to FIG. 10, the polarization converter 1200 may include apolarizer beam splitter (PBS) 1210 and a half-wave plate (HWP) 1220.

The polarizer beam splitter 1210 may split unpolarized light generatedby the light source 1052 into first linearly polarized light and secondlinearly polarized light.

The first linearly polarized light may be linearly polarized light inthe first direction. The second linearly polarized light may be linearlypolarized light in the second direction, which is perpendicular to thefirst direction.

In one example, the first linearly polarized light may be P-wavelinearly polarized light, and the second linearly polarized light may beS-wave linearly polarized light.

In another example, the first linearly polarized light may be S-wavelinearly polarized light, and the second linearly polarized light may beP-wave linearly polarized light.

The half-wave plate 1220 may convert the second linearly polarized lightsplit by the polarizer beam splitter 1210 into first linearly polarizedlight.

In one example, the half-wave plate 1220 may convert P-wave linearlypolarized light into S-wave linearly polarized light.

In another example, the half-wave plate 1220 may convert S-wave linearlypolarized light into P-wave linearly polarized light.

The half-wave plate 1220 may include a plurality of converting portions1221, 1222, 1223, 1224 and 1225.

The FEL 1100 may include a plurality of cells 1101, 1102, 1103, 1104 and1105.

The pitch of the half-wave plate 1220 may be equal to the width of anyone of the plurality of cells of the FEL 1100.

The pitch of the half-wave plate 1220 may be defined as the length fromone end of the converting portion 1221 to the next converting portion1222.

The plurality of converting portions 1221, 1222, 1223, 1224 and 1225 ofthe half-wave plate 1220 may be disposed at positions corresponding tothe positions of the plurality of cells 1101, 1102, 1103, 1104 and 1105of the FEL 1100.

For example, the center of the first converting portion 1221 may bedisposed so as to be aligned with the center of the first cell 1101, andthe center of the second converting portion 1222 may be disposed so asto be aligned with the center of the second cell 1102.

The polarization converter 1200 may further include an absorber 1230.

The absorber 1230 may absorb light that leaks. The absorber 1230 mayabsorb light that is not introduced into the polarizer beam splitter1210.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the optical efficiency of theconfiguration including the polarization converter 1200 (FIG. 11B) isincreased by about 40% in comparison with the optical efficiency of theconfiguration not including a polarization converter (FIG. 11A).

Here, the optical efficiency may be defined as a value obtained bydividing the quantity of light detected by the detector 1291 by thepower provided to the light source 1052.

The image generation unit 1050 may further include at least one mirror.

The at least one mirror may be disposed between the light source 1052and the liquid crystal display 1055.

In one example, the at least one mirror may be disposed between theillumination lens 920 and the liquid crystal display 1055.

The at least one mirror included in the image generation unit 1050 mayform an optical path to adjust the size of light and the focal length.

The illumination lens 920 may be disposed between the polarizationconverter 1200 and the liquid crystal display 1055.

One surface of the illumination lens 920 may face the polarizationconverter 1200. The opposite surface of the illumination lens 920 mayface the liquid crystal display 1055.

In some embodiments, when a mirror is disposed between the illuminationlens 920 and the liquid crystal display 1055, the opposite surface ofthe illumination lens 920 may face the liquid crystal display 1055.

The illumination lens 920 may focus the light incident thereon on theliquid crystal display 1055.

The illumination lens 920 may be provided in a plural number.

For example, the illumination lens 920 may include a first illuminationlens and a second illumination lens.

The first illumination lens may focus the light dispersed through theFEL 1110 on the second illumination lens.

The second illumination lens may focus light beams having differentangles of incidence on the liquid crystal display 1055.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views to be referred to for explaining the head-updisplay device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the head-up display device 1000 mayinclude a light source 1052, a first collimation lens 910 a, a secondcollimation lens 910 b, an FEL 1100, a polarization converter 1200, anillumination lens 920, a first inner mirror 1301, a second inner mirror1302, a third inner mirror 1303, a liquid crystal display 1055, a firstmirror 1002, a second mirror 1003, and a combiner CB.

The light source 1052, the first collimation lens 910 a, the secondcollimation lens 910 b, the FEL 1100, the polarization converter 1200,the illumination lens 920, the first inner mirror 1301, the second innermirror 1302, the third inner mirror 1303, the liquid crystal display1055, the first mirror 1002, the second mirror 1003, and the combiner CBmay be disposed in that order with respect to the optical path.

The light source 1052 may output unpolarized light.

The first collimation lens 910 a and the second collimation lens 910 bmay emit the light beams from the light source 1052 to the FEL 1110 soas to be parallel to each other.

The FEL 1100 may expand light beams incident on the plurality of cellsto a uniform size, and may provide the uniform light beams to thepolarization converter 1200.

The polarization converter 1200 may convert unpolarized light incidentthereon into single linearly polarized light.

The illumination lens 920, the first inner mirror 1301, the second innermirror 1302, and the third inner mirror 1303 may focus single linearlypolarized light on the liquid crystal display 1055.

One surface of the illumination lens 920 may face the polarizationconverter 1200, and the opposite surface thereof may face the firstinner mirror 1301.

The first inner mirror 1301 may be disposed so as to be inclined withrespect to the illumination lens 920.

At least a portion of the first inner mirror 1301 may face theillumination lens 920. At least a portion of the first inner mirror 1301may face the second inner mirror 1302.

The second inner mirror 1302 may be disposed so as to be inclined withrespect to the first inner mirror 1301.

At least a portion of the second inner mirror 1302 may face the firstinner mirror 1301. At least a portion of the second inner mirror 1302may face the third inner mirror 1303.

The third inner mirror 1303 may be disposed so as to be inclined withrespect to the second inner mirror 1302.

At least a portion of the third inner mirror 1303 may face the secondinner mirror 1302. At least a portion of the third inner mirror 1303 mayface the liquid crystal display 1055.

The liquid crystal display 1055 may transmit the single linearlypolarized light, and thus may emit display light.

The liquid crystal display 1055 may be disposed so as to be inclinedwith respect to the third inner mirror 1303.

One surface of the liquid crystal display 1055 may face the third innermirror 1303, and the opposite surface thereof may face the first mirror1002.

The first mirror 1002 may be disposed so as to be inclined with respectto the liquid crystal display 1055. Here, the first mirror 1002 may be aflat mirror.

At least a portion of the first mirror 1002 may face the liquid crystaldisplay 1055. At least a portion of the first mirror 1002 may face thesecond mirror 1003.

The second mirror 1003 may be disposed so as to be inclined with respectto the first mirror 1002. Here, the second mirror 1003 may be a flatmirror.

At least a portion of the second mirror 1003 may face the first mirror1002. At least a portion of the second mirror 1003 may face the combinerCB.

The first mirror 1002 and the second mirror 1003 may reflect the displaylight emitted from the liquid crystal display 1055 to the combiner CB.

The combiner CB may receive the display light and may display an image.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views to be referred to for explaining the head-updisplay device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, the head-up display device 1000 mayinclude a light source 1052, a first collimation lens 910 a, a secondcollimation lens 910 b, an FEL 1100, a polarization converter 1200, afirst illumination lens 920 a, an inner mirror 1311, a secondillumination lens 920 b, a liquid crystal display 1055, a wide gridpolarizer 1400, a first mirror 1002, and a second mirror 1003.

The light source 1052, the first collimation lens 910 a, the secondcollimation lens 910 b, the FEL 1100, the polarization converter 1200,the first illumination lens 920 a, the inner mirror 1311, the secondillumination lens 920 b, the liquid crystal display 1055, the wide gridpolarizer 1400, the first mirror 1002, and the second mirror 1003 may bedisposed in that order with respect to the optical path.

The light source 1052 may output unpolarized light.

The first collimation lens 910 a and the second collimation lens 910 bmay emit the light beams from the light source 1052 to the FEL 1110 soas to be parallel to each other.

The FEL 1100 may expand light beams incident on the plurality of cellsto a uniform size, and may provide the uniform light beams to thepolarization converter 1200.

The polarization converter 1200 may convert unpolarized light incidentthereon into single linearly polarized light.

The first illumination lens 920 a, the inner mirror 1311, and the secondillumination lens 920 b may focus single linearly polarized light on theliquid crystal display 1055.

One surface of the first illumination lens 920 a may face thepolarization converter 1200, and the opposite surface thereof may facethe inner mirror 1311.

The inner mirror 1311 may be disposed so as to be inclined with respectto the first illumination lens 920 a.

At least a portion of the inner mirror 1311 may face the firstillumination lens 920 a. At least a portion of the inner mirror 1311 mayface the second illumination lens 920 b.

The second illumination lens 920 b may be disposed so as to be inclinedwith respect to the inner mirror 1311.

One surface of the second illumination lens 920 b may face the innermirror 1311, and the opposite surface thereof may face the liquidcrystal display 1055.

The liquid crystal display 1055 may transmit the single linearlypolarized light, and thus may emit display light.

The liquid crystal display 1055 may be larger than the secondillumination lens 920 b.

The liquid crystal display 1055 may be disposed parallel to the secondillumination lens 920 b.

One surface of the liquid crystal display 1055 may face the secondillumination lens 920 b, and the opposite surface thereof may face thewide grid polarizer 1400.

The wire grid polarizer (WGP) 1400 may reflect linearly polarized lightthat is perpendicular to the polarization transmission axis and maytransmit linearly polarized light that is aligned with the polarizationtransmission axis.

The wire grid polarizer 1400 may be disposed so as to be inclined withrespect to the liquid crystal display 1055.

At least a portion of the wire grid polarizer 1400 may face the liquidcrystal display 1055.

At least a portion of the wire grid polarizer 1400 may face the firstmirror 1002.

The first mirror 1002 may be disposed so as to be inclined with respectto the wide grid polarizer 1400. Here, the first mirror 1002 may be aflat mirror.

At least a portion of the first mirror 1002 may face the wide gridpolarizer 1400. At least a portion of the first mirror 1002 may face thesecond mirror 1003.

The second mirror 1003 may be disposed so as to be inclined with respectto the first mirror 1002. Here, the second mirror 1003 may be a concavemirror.

At least a portion of the second mirror 1003 may face the first mirror1002. At least a portion of the second mirror 1003 may face thewindshield WS.

The wire grid polarizer 1400, the first mirror 1002, and the secondmirror 1003 may reflect the display light emitted from the liquidcrystal display 1055 to the windshield.

The windshield WS may receive the display light and may display animage.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are views to be referred to for explaining the head-updisplay device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, the head-up display device 1000 mayinclude a light source 1052, a plurality of collimation lenses 910 a-1,910 a-2, 910 b-1 and 910 b-2, an FEL 1100, a polarization converter1200, an illumination lens 920, a first inner mirror 1321, a secondinner mirror 1322, a third inner mirror 1323, a prism 1410, a liquidcrystal display 1055, a half-wave plate 1420, a wide grid polarizer1400, a first mirror 1002, a second mirror 1003, and a cover 1440.

The light source 1052, the plurality of collimation lenses 910 a-1, 910a-2, 910 b-1 and 910 b-2, the FEL 1100, the polarization converter 1200,the illumination lens 920, the first inner mirror 1321, the second innermirror 1322, the third inner mirror 1323, the prism 1410, the liquidcrystal display 1055, the half-wave plate 1420, the wide grid polarizer1400, the first mirror 1002, the second mirror 1003, and the cover 1440may be disposed in that order with respect to the optical path.

The light source 1052 may output unpolarized light.

The light source 1052 may include a first light source 1052-1 and asecond light source 1052-2.

The first light source 1052-1 may generate first unpolarized light.

For example, the first light source 1052-1 may generate firstunpolarized light for generating an indicator image.

The first light source 1052-1 may be disposed parallel to the secondlight source 1052-2.

The second light source 1052-2 may generate second unpolarized light.

For example, the second light source 1052-1 may generate secondunpolarized light for generating an augmented-reality image.

The second light source 1052-2 may be disposed parallel to the firstlight source 1052-1.

The direction in which the first unpolarized light is emitted from thefirst light source 1052-1 may be parallel to the direction in which thesecond unpolarized light is emitted from the second light source 1052-2.

The plurality of collimation lenses 910 a-1, 910 a-2, 910 b-1 and 910b-2 may emit light beams from the light source 1052 to the FEL 1110 soas to be parallel to each other.

The 1-1st collimation lens 910 a-1 and the 2-1st collimation lens 910b-1 may emit the first unpolarized light beams from the first lightsource 1052-1 to a first FEL 1100-1 so as to be parallel to each other.

The 1-2nd collimation lens 910 a-2 and the 2-2nd collimation lens 910b-2 may emit the second unpolarized light beams from the second lightsource 1052-2 to a second FEL 1100-2 so as to be parallel to each other.

The FEL 1100 may expand light beams incident on the plurality of cellsto a uniform size, and may provide the uniform light beams to thepolarization converter 1200.

The FEL 1100 may include the first FEL 1100-1 and the second FEL 1100-2.

The first FEL 1100-1 may uniformly provide the light beams generated bythe first light source 1051-1 to the first polarization converter1200-1.

The first FEL 1100-1 may have a larger volume than the second FEL1100-2.

The second FEL 1100-2 may uniformly provide the light beams generated bythe second light source 1051-2 to the second polarization converter1200-2.

The polarization converter 1200 may convert unpolarized light incidentthereon into single linearly polarized light.

The polarization converter 1200 may include a first polarizationconverter 1200-1 and a second polarization converter 1200-2.

The first polarization converter 1200-1 may convert the firstunpolarized light into single linearly polarized light.

As described above, the first polarization converter 1200-1 may includea polarizer beam splitter 1210 and a half-wave plate 1220.

The second polarization converter 1200-2 may convert the secondunpolarized light into single linearly polarized light.

As described above, the second polarization converter 1200-2 may includea polarizer beam splitter 1210 and a half-wave plate 1220.

The illumination lens 920, the first inner mirror 1321, the second innermirror 1322, and the third inner mirror 1323 may focus the singlelinearly polarized light on the liquid crystal display 1055.

The illumination lens 920 may include the first illumination lens 920-1and the second illumination lens 920-2.

One surface of the first illumination lens 920-1 may face the firstpolarization converter 1200-1, and the opposite surface thereof may facethe first inner mirror 1321.

One surface of the second illumination lens 920-2 may face the secondpolarization converter 1200-2, and the opposite surface thereof may facethe first inner mirror 1321.

The first inner mirror 1321 may reflect first single linearly polarizedlight based on the first unpolarized light and second single linearlypolarized light based on the second unpolarized light.

The first inner mirror 1321 may reflect the single linearly polarizedlight based on the first unpolarized light incident from the firstillumination lens 920-1 to the second inner mirror 1322.

The first inner mirror 1321 may reflect the single linearly polarizedlight based on the second unpolarized light incident from the secondillumination lens 920-2 to the third inner mirror 1323.

The first inner mirror 1321 may be disposed so as to be inclined withrespect to the first illumination lens 920-1 and the second illuminationlens 920-2.

At least a portion of the first inner mirror 1321 may face the firstillumination lens 920-1. At least a portion of the first inner mirror1321 may face the second inner mirror 1322.

At least a portion of the first inner mirror 1321 may face the secondillumination lens 920-2. At least a portion of the first inner mirror1321 may face the third inner mirror 1323.

The first inner mirror 1321 may be a flat mirror.

Meanwhile, a first distance may be shorter than a second distance. Here,the first distance may be defined as the distance from the first lightsource 1052-1 to the region of the first inner mirror 1321 at which thefirst linearly polarized light based on the first unpolarized light isreflected. The second distance may be defined as the distance from thesecond light source 1052-2 to the region of the first inner mirror 1321at which the second linearly polarized light based on the secondunpolarized light is reflected.

The second inner mirror 1322 may reflect the first single linearlypolarized light reflected by the first inner mirror 1321.

The second inner mirror 1322 may provide the prism 1410 with the firstsingle linearly polarized light based on the first unpolarized light,which is incident from the first inner mirror 1321.

The second inner mirror 1322 may be disposed so as to be inclined withrespect to the first inner mirror 1321.

At least a portion of the second inner mirror 1322 may face the firstinner mirror 1321. At least a portion of the second inner mirror 1322may face the prism 1410.

The second inner mirror 1322 may have a predetermined curvature. Thesecond inner mirror 1322 may have a curvature different from thecurvature of the third inner mirror 1323.

The third inner mirror 1323 may reflect the second single linearlypolarized light reflected by the first inner mirror 1321.

The third inner mirror 1323 may provide the liquid crystal display 1055with the second single linearly polarized light based on the secondunpolarized light, which is incident from the first inner mirror 1321.

The third inner mirror 1323 may be disposed so as to be inclined withrespect to the first inner mirror 1321.

At least a portion of the third inner mirror 1323 may face the firstinner mirror 1321. At least a portion of the third inner mirror 1323 mayface the liquid crystal display 1055.

The third inner mirror 1323 may have a predetermined curvature. Thethird inner mirror 1323 may have a curvature different from thecurvature of the second inner mirror 1323.

For example, the third inner mirror 1323 may have a curvature greaterthan the curvature of the second inner mirror 1323 in order toconcentrate the reflected second single linearly polarized light morethan the first single linearly polarized light.

The third inner mirror 1323 may be disposed parallel to the second innermirror 1322.

The third inner mirror 1323 may be located in a virtual plane in whichthe second inner mirror 1322 is located. That is, the virtual plane inwhich the third inner mirror 1323 is located and the virtual plane inwhich the second inner mirror 1322 is located may be the same plane. Theprism 1410 may be disposed between the light source 1052 and the liquidcrystal display 1055. The prism 1410 may be disposed between the firstlight source 1052-1 and the liquid crystal display 1055 in the opticalpath.

The prism 1410 may be disposed between the second inner mirror 1322 andthe liquid crystal display 1055.

The prism 1410 may change the path of the light introduced thereinto.

The prism 1410 may direct the single linearly polarized light based onthe first unpolarized light to the wire grid polarizer 1400.

For example, the prism 1410 may change the optical path such that thesingle linearly polarized light based on the first unpolarized lightpenetrates the liquid crystal display 1055 and is directed to the wiregrid polarizer 1400.

The prism 1410 may set the emission angle of the first single linearlypolarized light differently from the emission angle of the second singlelinearly polarized light with respect to the liquid crystal display1055.

The liquid crystal display 1055 may transmit the single linearlypolarized light and may emit display light. In this process, thedirection of the linearly polarized light may be changed.

In one example, when S-wave linearly polarized light is incidentthereon, the liquid crystal display 1055 may emit display light that isP-wave linearly polarized light.

In another example, when P-wave linearly polarized light is incidentthereon, the liquid crystal display 1055 may emit display light that isS-wave linearly polarized light.

The liquid crystal display 1055 may receive the first single linearlypolarized light reflected by the second inner mirror 1322 and the secondsingle linearly polarized light reflected by the third inner mirror 1323in the same plane thereof. Here, the surface of the liquid crystaldisplay 1055 to which the first single linearly polarized light and thesecond single linearly polarized light are provided may be defined as anincidence surface of the liquid crystal display 1055.

The liquid crystal display 1055 may emit first display light based onthe first single linearly polarized light and second display light basedon the second single linearly polarized light. Here, the surface of theliquid crystal display 1055 from which the first display light and thesecond display light are emitted may be defined as an emission surface.

One surface of the liquid crystal display 1055 may face the second innerlens 1322 and the third inner lens 1323, and the opposite surfacethereof may face the wire grid polarizer 1400.

The half-wave plate 1420 may shift, among the linearly polarized lightbeams emitted from the liquid crystal display 1055, linearly polarizedlight based on the first unpolarized light by ½ wavelength.

The half-wave plate 1420 may emit the wavelength-shifted linearlypolarized light to the wide grid polarizer 1400.

The half-wave plate 1420 may be disposed between the liquid crystaldisplay 1550 and the wide grid polarizer.

The wide grid polarizer 1400 may reflect linearly polarized light thatis perpendicular to the polarization transmission axis and may transmitlinearly polarized light that is aligned with the polarizationtransmission axis.

The wide grid polarizer 1400 may reflect the linearly polarized lightemitted from the liquid crystal display 1055, the wavelength of whichhas been shifted by the half-wave plate 1420.

The linearly polarized light reflected by the wide grid polarizer 1400may travel to the second mirror 1003.

The wide grid polarizer 1400 may transmit, among the linearly polarizedlight beams emitted from the liquid crystal display 1055, linearlypolarized light based on the second unpolarized light.

The linearly polarized light transmitted by the wide grid polarizer 1400may travel to the first mirror 1002.

Due to the first to third inner mirrors 1321, 1322 and 1323 and the widegrid polarizer 1400, the first optical path through which the lightgenerated by the first light source 1052-1 reaches the windshield WS maydiffer from the second optical path through which the light generated bythe second light source 1052-2 reaches the windshield WS.

The first optical path through which the light generated by the firstlight source 1052-1 reaches the screen may be shorter than the secondoptical path through which the light generated by the second lightsource 1052-2 reaches the screen.

As a result, the image based on the light generated by the first lightsource 1052-1 may be seen to be closer to the user than the image basedon the light generated by the second light source 1052-2.

The wire grid polarizer 1400 may be disposed so as to be inclined withrespect to the liquid crystal display 1055.

At least a portion of the wire grid polarizer 1400 may face the liquidcrystal display 1055 in a first direction.

At least a portion of the wire grid polarizer 1400 may face the firstmirror 1002 in a second direction, which is different from the firstdirection.

One surface of the wire grid polarizer 1400 may face the first mirror1002, and the opposite surface thereof may face the second mirror 1003.

The first mirror 1002 may reflect, among the linearly polarized lightbeams emitted from the liquid crystal display 1055, linearly polarizedlight based on the second unpolarized light. The reflected linearlypolarized light may travel to the second mirror 1003.

The first mirror 1002 may be disposed so as to be inclined with respectto the wide grid polarizer 1400. Here, the first mirror 1002 may be aflat mirror.

At least a portion of the first mirror 1002 may face the wide gridpolarizer 1400. At least a portion of the first mirror 1002 may face thesecond mirror 1003.

The second mirror 1003 may reflect the linearly polarized lightreflected by the wide grid polarizer 1400 toward the screen. Here, thescreen may be the windshield WS or the combiner CB.

The second mirror 1003 may reflect the linearly polarized lightreflected by the first mirror 1002 toward the screen.

The second mirror 1003 may be disposed so as to be inclined with respectto the first mirror 1002. Here, the second mirror 1003 may be a concavemirror.

At least a portion of the second mirror 1003 may face the first mirror1002. At least a portion of the second mirror 1003 may face thewindshield WS.

The wire grid polarizer 1400, the first mirror 1002, and the secondmirror 1003 may reflect the display light emitted from the liquidcrystal display 1055 to the windshield.

The windshield WS may receive the display light and may display animage.

The aforementioned present invention may be implemented ascomputer-readable code stored on a computer-readable recording medium.The computer-readable recording medium may be any type of recordingdevice in which data is stored in a computer-readable manner. Examplesof the computer-readable recording medium include a Hard Disk Drive(HDD), a Solid State Disk (SSD), a Silicon Disk Drive (SDD), Read-OnlyMemory (ROM), Random-Access Memory (RAM), CD-ROM, magnetic tapes, floppydisks, optical data storage devices, carrier waves (e.g. transmissionvia the Internet), etc. In addition, the computer may include aprocessor and a controller. The above embodiments are therefore to beconstrued in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive. It isintended that the present invention cover the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A head-up display device for a vehicle,comprising: at least one light source; a liquid crystal display; and atleast one polarization converter disposed between the light source andthe liquid crystal display, the polarization converter being configuredto convert unpolarized light generated by the light source into singlelinearly polarized light and to provide the single linearly polarizedlight to the liquid crystal display, wherein the light source comprisesa first light source configured to generate first unpolarized light, anda second light source configured to generate second unpolarized light,and wherein the polarization converter comprises a first polarizationconverter configured to convert the first unpolarized light into singlelinearly polarized light, and a second polarization converter configuredto convert the second unpolarized light into single linearly polarizedlight, a first inner mirror configured to reflect first linearlypolarized light based on the first unpolarized light and second linearlypolarized light based on the second unpolarized light, wherein a firstdistance from the first light source to a region of the first innermirror at which the first linearly polarized light is reflected isshorter than a second distance from the second light source to a regionof the first inner mirror at which the second linearly polarized lightis reflected.
 2. The head-up display device of claim 1, wherein thepolarization converter comprises: a polarizer beam splitter (PBS)configured to split unpolarized light generated by the light source intofirst linearly polarized light and second linearly polarized light; anda half-wave plate (HWP) configured to convert the second linearlypolarized light into the first linearly polarized light.
 3. The head-updisplay device of claim 1, further comprising: a fly eye lens (FEL)disposed between the light source and the polarization converter, theFEL having an optic pattern, wherein one surface of the polarizationconverter faces the FEL.
 4. The head-up display device of claim 1,further comprising: at least one mirror disposed between the lightsource and the liquid crystal display.
 5. The head-up display device ofclaim 1, further comprising: a half-wave plate configured to shift,among linearly polarized light beams emitted from the liquid crystaldisplay, linearly polarized light based on the first unpolarized lightby ½ wavelength.
 6. The head-up display device of claim 5, furthercomprising: a wire grid polarizer (WGP) configured to reflect linearlypolarized light emitted from the liquid crystal display, a wavelength ofwhich has been shifted by the half-wave plate, and to transmit, amonglinearly polarized light beams emitted from the liquid crystal display,linearly polarized light based on the second unpolarized light.
 7. Thehead-up display device of claim 6, wherein the wide grid polarizer isdisposed so as to be inclined with respect to the liquid crystaldisplay.
 8. The head-up display device of claim 7, wherein the wide gridpolarizer is disposed such that one surface thereof faces the firstmirror and an opposite surface thereof faces the second mirror.
 9. Thehead-up display device of claim 7, wherein the half-wave plate isdisposed between the liquid crystal display and the wide grid polarizer.10. The head-up display device of claim 7, wherein a first optical paththrough which light generated by the first light source reaches thescreen is shorter than a second optical path through which lightgenerated by the second light source reaches the screen.
 11. The head-updisplay device of claim 7, further comprising: a prism disposed betweenthe first light source and the liquid crystal display, the prism beingconfigured to direct single linearly polarized light based on the firstunpolarized light to the wire grid polarizer.
 12. The head-up displaydevice of claim 7, further comprising: a first mirror configured toreflect, among linearly polarized light beams emitted from the liquidcrystal display, linearly polarized light based on the secondunpolarized light; and a second mirror configured to reflect linearlypolarized light reflected by the wide grid polarizer toward a screen andto reflect linearly polarized light reflected by the first mirror towardthe screen.
 13. The head-up display device of claim 12, wherein the widegrid polarizer faces the liquid crystal display in a first direction andfaces the first mirror in a second direction.
 14. The head-up displaydevice of claim 1, wherein a direction in which first unpolarized lightis emitted from the first light source is parallel to a direction inwhich second unpolarized light is emitted from the second light source.15. The head-up display device of claim 1, further comprising: a secondinner mirror configured to reflect the first linearly polarized lightreflected by the first inner mirror; and a third inner mirror configuredto reflect the second linearly polarized light reflected by the firstinner mirror, and wherein the second inner mirror has a curvaturedifferent from a curvature of the third inner mirror.
 16. The head-updisplay device of claim 15, wherein the liquid crystal display receivesthe first linearly polarized light reflected by the second inner mirrorand the second linearly polarized light reflected by the third innermirror in a same plane thereof.
 17. The head-up display device of claim16, further comprising: a prism disposed between the second inner mirrorand the liquid crystal display, wherein the prism sets an emission angleof the first linearly polarized light differently from an emission angleof the second linearly polarized light with respect to the liquidcrystal display.
 18. The head-up display device of claim 15, wherein thethird inner mirror is disposed parallel to the second inner mirror.